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Heavy metal legend to take up teaching post at university

Rock legend Tony Iommi, lead guitarist and founding member of heavy metal trailblazers Black Sabbath, will be sharing his songwriting secrets with music students at Coventry University.

The university, which awarded Tony with an Honorary Doctorate of Arts in November last year for his outstanding contribution to global music, has now appointed him to the role of Visiting Professor of Music.

In the months following his honorary award, the university’s Department for Performing Arts forged close links with Tony and in May this year he carried out his first official engagement on campus in his capacity as a Visiting Professor – a role he was delighted to accept. During his recent visit to the university, Tony was shown around the performing arts department’s facilities and he spent the afternoon talking to students and staff and answering their questions about his 50 year career in the music business.

Dr Geoff Willcocks, Coventry University’s Director of Arts and Culture, said: “To watch Tony interact with the students was an absolute privilege. He was incredibly generous and open with them about all aspects of his work. Tony is without doubt a rock icon and he’s an inspiration to so many people around the world. It’s wonderful to have such an important and respected international figure working with us.”

Dr Sara Reed, Head of Department for Performing Arts at the university, added: “It is a tremendous honour to have Tony here with us as a Visiting Professor. His huge wealth of experience and musical knowledge is beyond value to our students. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to learn from such an immensely talented individual and all in the department sincerely look forward to working with Tony in the future.”

It is planned that Tony will return to the university in the autumn to work directly with students on their songwriting and composition skills.